North Korea is filled with a cloud of darkness one could say because so much of life there is keep in the dark from the rest of the world. There are not many outsiders that are permitted to visit North Korea. If you’re an American, you need a heavy regulated visa to be allowed to enter and quite a bit of cash to get there. Moreover, if you are a part of the lucky few allowed in, you must remember that photography is frowned upon and very restricted. However there are some “rebels” who take photos and smuggle them out of the country. That’s why we rounded up 16 rare photos taken in North Korea that will shock you.
Tunnel Time
Pyongyang, if you didn’t know, is the capital and largest city of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Pyongyang’s subway system is one of the deepest subways in the world as it also doubles as a bomb shelter. Don’t be surprised if someone tells you that you must delete the picture you take if it includes the tunnel.
Tunnel Time
Abandoned
Pyongyang is meant to represent the glory of North Korea, which is why building exteriors are carefully maintained. If you should get a rare chance to look inside one of the buildings, something else becomes more apparent unfortunately.
Abandoned
Bath Time
If you head out of the urban areas, don’t be surprised if you see people bathing the rivers and lakes, it’s quite common. Not everyone has access to clean and running water, they have to rely on what they have.
Bath Time
Cat Nap
In North Korea, officials have said over and over that you cannot take pictures of the Army especially if they pictured being “lazy”.
Cat Nap
Child Labor
There are times all around the globe when things get tough but in North Korea, they’re particularly tough. As you can see, children can be found working for various farms, digging up plants and vegetables.
Child Labor
Friends
There is something of plot to free North Korea with some smuggled episodes of ‘Friends’. That’s right, the gang of Ross, Rachel, Joey, Monica, Chandler and Phoebe will free North Korea. There is an organization of defectors and activists who believe that digital contraband and free data could be most effective in the fight against North Korea’s totalitarian regime.
Friends
Hard At Work
It is often said that the North Korean Army is one of the important in the world. However, if you ever find yourself in North Korea, you will often see soldiers helping out farmers.
Hard At Work
What A Bathroom
If you visit a rural home, it is not uncommon to be confronted with bathrooms such as this one. The houses and the families who live in these areas are selected very carefully by the government. However, there are times when something like a bathroom is used as a cistern shows that times are quite hard.
What A Bathroom
Heading To Work
Buses, if you can call this truck a bus like this one, are filled to the brim taking people to work on a daily basis. Come rain or shine.
Heading To Work
Kimjongilia Festival
The Kimjongilia is a flower which was named after the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. A Japanese botanist, Kamo Mototeru, cultivated this new flower to represent friendship between Japan and North Korea. It is designed to bloom every single year on Kim Jong-il’s birthday, February 16. Moreover, thousands of North Koreans must queue up to visit various monuments dedicated to their late leader.
Kimjongilia Festival
Neat Freak
Don’t see surprised but North Korea is actually very clean. The citizens work hard to keep everything perfect. Often, you will see soldiers making sure everything stays clean and will roll up their sleeves, figuratively speaking, and help.
Neat Freak
Pink Is Your Color
Officials in North Korea say that you are not permitted under any circumstance to take pictures of the Army however, as you can see, someone had to the courage to snap a photo anyway. The woman in the crowd certainly stands out too.
Pink Is Your Color
School Time
Most times children will work to see of dirt roads without being accompanied by any of their parents or adults. But school is considered to be very important and missing days is frowned upon. Schools are funded by the state as most of its citizens live in poverty.
School Time
Take A Stroll
Just an image that was taken showing a random street in North Korea. As you can see, everyone is just going out their own merry way.
Take A Stroll
The Black Market
The government has banned and strictly enforces against black markets. Which is probably why grey markets are much more common in North Korea. Grey markets typically sell cigarettes or sweets but they don’t really earn a lot of money.
The Black Market
What’s A Car?
Cars are becoming more widespread in Pyongyang, more highways are being built but too many people don’t have enough money to buy cars so often then not, the new highways are clear of people. However, peasants are not quite too accustomed to seeing cars so they will still continue to play in the middle of the streets as if there were no cars.
